Impaired and unconscious driver found by police at Hwy. 11 road closure

Ontario Provincial Police have charged a North Bay motorist with impaired driving and other related charges after finding him unconscious in the northbound lanes with the engine running on Oct. 12, 2026. Police also observed an open liquor container in the vehicle. (Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police)

Ontario Provincial Police say a North Bay man was found unconscious in his vehicle at a Highway 11 road closure zone Monday.

Officers were managing a road closure on Highway 11 in Lyman Township during a fatal collision investigation and saw a vehicle parked in the northbound lanes after other drivers had cleared the area, police said in a news release Tuesday.

“Police located the driver unconscious in the driver’s seat with the vehicle’s engine running,” the release said.

“Upon waking the driver, officers observed signs of alcohol consumption and subsequently arrested the individual for impaired driving.”

Police charged a 37-year-old man with impaired driving, driving with an open container of liquor and driving with cannabis readily available.

The man’s licence was suspended for 90 days and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.

He’s been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in North Bay court Dec. 1.

The OPP said it remains committed to removing impaired drivers from Ontario roads. Anyone who observes dangerous driving behaviour or suspects a driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs is encouraged to call 911 immediately.